The 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards is returning to Lipscomb for the fifth year on Tuesday, and country music star Reba McEntire is leading this year’s performers.
McEntire is also nominated for two Dove Awards this year: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, “Better Together,” and Bluegrass/Country Roots Album of the Year, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope.
“I am excited and honored to perform at this year’s show,” McEntire said in a statement. “Recording a faith-filled album has been on my heart for many years, and to see how Sing It Now has been embraced is really special. I’m thrilled this collection of my favorite hymns and some new songs of hope continue to touch people.”
Other top artist nominees include: Zach Williams, Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin, For King & Country, Hillsong United, MercyMe and TobyMac. Williams and Daigle lead the nominations with five each.
In addition to McEntire, Williams will also be performing on Tuesday night. Additionally, Casting Crowns, CeCe Winans, Erica Campbell, Gaither Vocal Band, Hezekiah Walker, Hillsong Worship and MercyMe are slated to perform.
Lipscomb alumnus Pat Boone will be honored as well with the SoundExchange Fair Play Award. According to GMA, “This award recognizes the contributions of members of the entertainment community in the fight for public policy to protect all creators.”
Last year, Chris Tomlin received the SoundExchange Digital Radio award. SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe will be presenting the award to Boone.
“We are excited to present the SoundExchange Fair Play Award to Pat Boone, and we are honored to do so during the premiere awards show for the Christian and Gospel genre,” Huppe said in a statement. “While we are recognizing Pat’s contributions at the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards, he has played a key role as a champion for the fair and equal treatment of creators of music spanning all genres over the past six decades. We thank him for standing up for the rights of all creators.”
The Dove Awards will be held in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena beginning at 6:30 p.m. October 17.
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will air the awards show on October 22 at 8 p.m. CST.
Photo courtesy of the Gospel Music Association
Check back Tuesday, October 17, for more Dove Awards coverage from Lumination.